Forensic Odontology Lecture Notes

Vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes covering the definition, history, identification methods, and legal aspects of forensic odontology.

Forensic Odontology (Forensic Dentistry)

The branch of forensic medicine dealing with the proper handling, examination, and evaluation of dental evidence for the purposes of identification and the administration of justice.

Oscar Amoedo

A Cuban-born dentist regarded as the ‘Father of Forensic Odontology’ for identifying victims of the $1897$ Paris Bazar de la Charit fire through dental features.

Enamel

The hardest and most chemically stable structure in the human body, providing unique forensic value by resisting decomposition and fire.

Demirjian's method

A radiographic assessment of tooth development stages used for the medico-legal age estimation of juveniles.

Gustafson's Method (1950)

A classical adult age estimation technique based on six regressive (degenerative) histological changes scored from $0$ to $3$ and processed through a regression formula.

A-P-S-C-R-T

A mnemonic for Gustafson's criteria: Attrition, Periodontosis, Secondary dentine, Cementum apposition, Root resorption, and Root transparency.

Canine dimorphism

The phenomenon where male teeth, particularly canines, are generally larger than female teeth, aiding in sex determination.

Amelogenin gene analysis

A DNA-based method using dental pulp that allows for definitive sex determination, even from a single tooth.

Shovel-shaped incisors

A crown morphology pattern more common in Mongoloid populations, used as a cautious indicator for race or ancestry determination.

Bite mark

A patterned injury caused by the teeth, alone or with other oral structures, impacting a substrate and leaving marks that may permit comparison with a suspect's dentition.

ABFO No. 2 scale

A standardized scale used in forensic photography to document bite marks and ensure accurate measurement for comparison.

Cheiloscopy

The study of unique patterns formed by grooves and wrinkles on the labial mucosa (vermilion border) of the lips.

Suzuki and Tsuchihashi’s classification

The most widely cited classification system for lip-groove patterns, including straight, curved, angled, and branched patterns.

Rugoscopy (Palatal Rugae Analysis)

The analysis of irregular ridges on the anterior hard palate, which are protected by their internal location and stable from about $12\text{ weeks}$ in utero.

DVI Pink Form

The standardized INTERPOL protocol form used for recording postmortem data during mass disaster victim identification.

DVI Yellow Form

The standardized INTERPOL protocol form used for recording antemortem data during mass disaster victim identification.